“Let Me Go Study”: Woman Shares Attorney Salary, Mzansi Reacts to the Numbers

• A woman shared an attorney’s salary breakdown to give first year students insight into earnings in South Africa’s legal sector
• The post included monthly pay, annual bonus, and dividends, helping viewers understand total compensation for experienced attorneys
• This transparency sparked conversations about career planning, work-life balance, and the financial realities of legal professionals
• Briefly News spoke to Thato Kunene, a candidate attorney, as well as Phumlani Gumede, to unpack the realities behind pursuing a career in law

An attorney’s salary reveal quickly became a hot topic, with many discussing what experience can bring in the legal sector. The numbers motivated LLB first-year University students who became happy to be in the field.

Transparency in professional salaries is rare, but TikTok user @liferesetwithboni shared a detailed breakdown of an attorney’s earnings on 5 March 2026. The post revealed the monthly salary, annual bonus, and dividends for someone with nine years of post-articles experience, giving viewers a clear picture of what established legal professionals can earn in South Africa.

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According to the post, the attorney earned R118,000 monthly, an annual bonus of R475,000, and dividends totaling R189,000, resulting in a net annual income of R381,000. The figures sparked conversations about how compensation in law includes much more than just a base salary, highlighting the importance of understanding total remuneration.

Legal careers reveal high earning potential

The discussion extended beyond numbers, with viewers reflecting on the demands, responsibilities, and pressures of working in law. Many pointed out that while the pay is impressive, long hours, ongoing professional development, and client responsibilities contribute to the career’s challenges.

The post by user @liferesetwithboni prompted aspiring lawyers and career-changers to consider financial planning alongside professional ambitions. By revealing real-life compensation, the attorney’s story provided both inspiration and a practical perspective, showing that pursuing a legal career is as much about strategy, education, and dedication as it is about salary.

Candidate Attorney Thato Kunene explained to Briefly News that while many people associate the legal profession with success, the path requires perseverance and patience.

“Law is traditionally seen as a career path that begins in early adulthood because of the years of study, training and professional examinations involved. However, more people are beginning to pursue it as a second career or later-life calling.”

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She noted that the journey can be challenging both academically and emotionally.

“The financial commitment of legal education and the practical training period can be significant. There are also emotional adjustments, like studying alongside younger peers or re-entering academic life after many years. The legal profession is rigorous and the pressure can be intense.”

Kunene also shared her personal experience navigating the early stages of the profession.

“I completed my law degree in 2023 but only got the opportunity to start my articles in 2025. Many graduates expect to move straight into practical training, but that’s not always the reality. The period in between can feel uncertain, but I’ve learned that timelines are not universal.”

According to her, perseverance is key in the legal field.

“The profession is not only about academic excellence, it’s also about discipline, resilience and purpose.”

Phumlani Gumede on the other hand added that people often underestimate how diverse the journey into law can be.

“It’s actually quite common to see people enter the profession later in life. When I was at varsity, I had a classmate who was 61 years old and we completed our LLB together in record time.”

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For him, success in law depends more on commitment than age.

“All it takes is dedication and commitment. Everyone’s challenges are different, so it’s difficult to generalise.”

His advice to anyone considering the profession was simple:

“Once you’re in it, go for it. Don’t look back. You’re there for a reason.”

Watch the TikTok video below:

Here’s how netizens reacted

Ester Queen wrote:

“As a third-year LLB student, let me go study.”

Mphephethe asked:

“What courses did they take? Additional compliance courses and short courses?”

Karabo_Mmabooi wrote:

“As a first-year law student, let me go study.”

Paliegh wrote:

“I’m sure my director thinks this is AI.”

Fefe asked:

“As a third-year law student, can you please do the prosecutor's salary?”

sire_kay wrote:

“I started last month studying an LLB at Boston City Campus. It’s a lot of information to learn, but I’m saving this video to serve as motivation for the end goal.”

Alusani Audrey Mbedz wrote:

“You’re such a star for dropping this gem. Let me go study.”

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Nomthandazo M. wrote:

“As someone who wrote Paper 3 Legal Ethics today, I pray I pass.”

Phiwo wrote:

“First year, and this is the motivation I needed. Let’s wake up and study.”

Matshe wrote:

“Yeah, this is what I want.”

Yo’dime wrote:

“The kind of motivation I needed.”

3 Other Briefly News stories about salaries

• An IT guru shares a video about salaries in the tech world that recently caught the attention of many South Africans online.
• A content creator who shares real estate and economic information broke down how far a salary went in 1995 compared to today.
• A Cape Town entrepreneur built a firewood business from scratch at 20 years old while still in his first year of university and earning R200 a day.

Source: Briefly News